“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.” (Matthew 1: 18a)

After a lengthy account of the genealogy of Jesus the gospel writer Matthew begins to describe how the birth of Jesus came to be. This beautiful story reminds us of the humble beginning of the Christ. No one imagined that the long awaited Messiah would be born in a lowly stable and placed in a manger, a feeding trough. In Luke’s gospel he writes, “I decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you.” Luke then proceeds to give us a very different account than Matthew wrote. Put together, this is the birth story we often see in pageants and think about when we tell the story to others.

But there is another story of the birth of Jesus and that is the one of how Jesus came to be made known in our individual hearts and minds. This is the story that truly shapes our faith and our personal walk with the Christ.

We can meet the Christ again and again as we turn within and feel the presence of Spirit comfort and bless us. We meet the Spirit of the Christ anew when we let go of earthly limitations that speak only to our own abilities and allow the Christ to move us forward in ways we had never before thought possible. We, of ourselves, can do little, but with the presence and direction of the Christ unlimited possibilities open before us.

Later in the gospel of Matthew we read: “Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what hear, but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13: 17)

We fail to see because we fail to look. We fail to experience because we fail to surrender. Jesus is born anew in each of us with our every thought and breath if we trust in the power of the Christ to change our lives. Celebrate today that the Christ is born again within you and that your recognition of this beautiful presence blesses you this day and always. With your every thought and every breath a new beginning awaits.

Affirmation: “Unlimited possibilities bless me this day and always as I allow the Christ Spirit to open my heart and mind with childlike wonder.”

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.” (1 John 3: 1, The Message)

I often write about this subject, in varying words, but I think it is important to continually return to, for the truth of who we really are can get so lost and confused in the midst of all that goes on around us. The events of our world, and the words of others can so easily tear us down. Events and words can only effect us if we allow them to. If we agree to participate in what the world and other people are doing we can soon build a hardened crust around ourselves and forget that through the unconditionally loving thought of Perfect Spirit we are so wonderfully made.

We are each spiritual beings having a human experience. So often in our thinking we have that reversed. We think we are first and foremost human, physical bodies trying desperately as we journey on this earth to connect with some form of spiritual truth. Our physical being however is just the human presence that we wear so that we can experience life with one another while we are here on this planet. When we realize that we are first spiritual beings our connection to Spirit/God becomes not only more easily understood, but lived.

God loves us so much, cares for us so much, wants relationship with us so much and God wants us to understand who we are. As children of God this beautiful spirit of truth and grace and unconditional love is the very core and essence of who we are. That is first, all else is built from that place.

So from being spiritual beings God has given us our humanness, our thinking minds and our ability for discernment. God has given us wonderful human experiences that can make our time on this earth the fulfillment of God’s kingdom here on earth. I think our humanity is terrific and wonderful. It is rich with possibility and can give us so much joy and happiness. Our humanity opens us to amazing revelations of Spirit that can act through us to make this journey we call earthly life so much more meaningful.

But, as humans we often experience physical things that can be overwhelming. Our bodies hurt, our hearts break, we go through dark places that seem endless and with seemingly no a passageway out.

Psalm 23 says, “Though I walk through the darkest valley.” Whatever that valley might be, whatever that burden we carry, we are guided back out into the light and restored to our rightful place in God’s house. The Master Teacher Jesus, through his life, his teaching and his resurrection has demonstrated for us that the Christ Presence, Christ Consciousness is one of pure love, inclusion, acceptance and affirmation. It is a non-judging, non-duel thinking consciousness that sees possibility in the face of limitation and hope in the face of despair. There is meant to be joy in sharing our unique individualities and a willingness to experience and learn from our shared experiences.

Our humanity is rich and prosperous with unlimited possibility when we know we are first and foremost spiritual beings living a humanity that is filled with the energy and vibration of perfect creation.

Affirmation: “I am forever standing in the presence of God on Holy Ground.”

“Do not conformto the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12: 2)

This scripture, from the Apostle Paul, is one that has long engaged me for much reflection and study throughout my life. And from Pauls’ letter to the church in Philippi, (Philippians 2: 5), “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” This is a theme that appears in Paul’s writings often. It is an idea that was very important to him and one that he felt foundational for first century followers of the Christ and church to understand and to live. To the Roman church in his letter he wrote that we are to have relationship and spiritual companionship with Jesus Christ and in doing so we are “to allow God to transform us inwardly by the complete renewing of our minds.” In his letter to the church in Corinth he wrote that, “we are to have the same mind of Christ.” To the church at Philippi, “put on the mind which was in Christ Jesus.” To the Apostle Paul one cannot even begin to understand Jesus until we have a Christ Consciousness of service as did Jesus himself.

So, what is this Christ Consciousness that Paul is asking us to have? If you were to ask that question of Paul he would tell you that Jesus was speaking of a particular level of human consciousness when he told us these comforting words, “the Kingdom of heaven is within.” There it is. The kingdom of heaven is within. We need look no further than within our very selves, each and every one of us, to find that for which we have so long been searching. Within. Right where we are at this and every moment. Not far off – over there – or over there – or out there – but within. Right here.

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is our remembering that which is within. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds and remembering to seek the mind of Christ in all that we do, think and say changes our game plan for what is about to happen in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The mind of Jesus. Think on that for a moment. What mind did Jesus demonstrate for us as he traveled about in his life and ministry?

It was the mind of Jesus that never saw the people he encountered along his journeys as “the other.” It was this mind that never labeled these people as worthy or unworthy of his attention. Jesus certainly understood the teachings of his elders, certainly the Pharisees, that this or that group is untouchable, not part of us and separate and out of favor with God’s plan. Each time I read the stories that include the Pharisees I am amazed, and yet amazed yet again, to see how narrow-minded and opinionated they were. They witnessed the healings of Jesus time and time again. Each time they saw Jesus heal someone they too had an opportunity to be healed of their bigotry and to be transformed into new life, but they just couldn’t see what was before them. The mind of Jesus reached out to the hurting, the sick, the lame, the blind, people all around him. In the mind of Jesus he didn’t ever see people as “the unworthy.” He saw them as human beings, creations of a loving God, he saw them as souls that were longing to experience new life and new possibility for their lives. The mind of Jesus never saw defeat and pain when the truth of God’s presence was right there. He saw that there was victory and abundant blessings available for all. To have the mind of Christ is to have what we in the 21st century call NON-DUEL THINKING. Not a “this or that,” not a feeling of being “separate,” not a “you vs. me,” and certainly not a need to label everything putting certain things down so one can feel superior. But he understood the unity of humanity as all living in the Kingdom of Heaven right here, right where we are now and always. Each of us together – united as one.

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God” meant being in God’s very holy presence. Each person he encountered he saw as citizens of this kingdom. Each person he saw – each thought that he had – was a thought of blessing and peace and possibility for all.

In our more modern time I look at the life and ministry of Mother Teresa and see one who not only had the mind of Christ but was transformed over and over again as her work transformed the lives of all those with whom she touched. No “this or that” thinking in her life. She saw all as precious children. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, everyone.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. A renewing that shifts your thinking from seeing with blinders – and through a veil – and to make a decision to see and to serve as Christ saw and served.

Can you imagine if this was how everyone saw life? Wow. If we all saw our world through a mind of Non-Duel thinking and belief? No longer would there be bigotry, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, hatred, lies and the biggest hurdle to our lives – FEAR.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

But the Apostle also charged us do something else. He wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world.” A tall order isn’t it? Easy – not so much. Possible – yes. Paul cautions us – that as we look around seeing lies and distrust and people who do business with questionable ethics, with greed as ones motivation and goal, who speak falsely and hurtfully about others, as we see them puff themselves up to feel superior – as we look around and witness that – that we not fall into that way of living. Do not see that as so present that we come to accept that as the new norm. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Seeing what is around you -choose another path. Make another decision. Set your intention to be one of LOVE and dwelling in the perfect presence of Spirit.

Where do you want to be? What do you want to experience? What is your destination of choice?

Fear is perhaps one, if not the, most terrifying force that our “world” would like for us to dwell in. Fear will stop us in our forward movement of life each and every time. Fear will entangle us in the worlds orbit so fast we won’t even know we are orbiting in it until something catastrophic happens to us. Fear will change our perceptions of life, focus our vision to latching onto negativity and it will devastate us. But, do not conform to the world. To fear. To the system that seeks to suck you in.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Seek love. Remember to pray. Meditate. To talk with God/Spirit. Remember the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, right where you are, so God is right with you. Within. Waiting, longing for your presence at every moment. This is true in whatever faith you practice. Spirit is with you. Are you with It?

We have to live in this world, but we can change this world. In our present day world, in the midst of our lives, filled with the everyday ups and downs of modern life, surrounded by a mindset – ever so prominent – that can foster and nurture a defeatist attitude and tear us apart, the apostle tells us to not dwell in that negativity, but to see our world and our place in this world as Jesus would beckon us to see and experience. The world will be forever with us, but, yes, we can change this world.

I think the words of the bumper sticker are very true. “Change your thinking – change your life.”

Paul writes of a freedom of spirit that awaits us whenever we make the decision to turn to it, recognize it, recalculate, reboot and accept it as our way of life. He tells us that Spirit is near. As close as our very next thought.

“The Spirit within me refreshes me daily. I feel myself saturated with the Life Essence Itself; I feel the same Life Essence flowing in me.” (Dr. Ernest Holmes)

So many people tend to think that when we enter into meditation and into the silence that the silence is empty and a void. That it is darkness, that it is without substance or purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. The silence is not empty, it is filled with Spirit/God. We have sacred substance inside of each of us. We live in the midst of silence even though we probably think that we do not. In between each and every one of your thoughts, there is silence. No matter how fast you may think your mind is spinning, there is a space between each and ever thought you have. In between each and every word you speak, there is silence. Millions of moments of silence make up our day. These periods of beautiful pauses are available for discovery. Discovery of who we truly are and discovery of the presence of Spirit/God who has created us to be magnificent beings.

Because those periods of silence are so little known and experienced by us we miss a great opportunity to experience the fullness of God, deep within us, right where we are at every moment. A divine presence that is the true make up of our own spiritual DNA. When we stop and allow that silence to be elongated, to be stretched out and become a more intentional experience, we are able to absorb more of that beautiful Spiritual presence and truth in our lives. We are able to let millions of thoughts and impulses connect more deeply with our conscious mind and move us to seeing new and exciting possibilities in our lives. Even a few minutes of contemplative silence can make a huge difference. Why settle for a thimble full of Spirit when you can have a bucketful?

Easy to do? Of course not. Not because Spirit is unwilling to speak and make Itself known to us, but because our human minds love to race from one thought to another with lightening fast speed. Nothing wrong with this, we don’t beat ourselves up about it, it is just how we are built. But what I do know is that taking some time to be conscious of our breathing, keeping our focus on the breath in and out, is the beginning to our experiencing the amazing power of Spirit that lives within us. When the mind wanders again, and it will, just bring the focus back to your breathing. I also like to visualize the amazing light of Spirit all around, moving through and around me as I sit quietly. Always returning to the breath, in and out. Another thought arrives, don’t dwell there, just recognize it and let it go, back to the breath. It does get easier, like exercising a new muscle. Do we fail when we allow our minds to fly off into extraneous thinking? Of course not. Again, it is natural. Each time we return our thought to the breath we have actually celebrated an amazing new victory. We will certainly celebrate hundreds of new victories within a single time of meditation.

There are many wonderful techniques for quiet meditation that I like. Mindfulness meditation (as described here) especially helps me to power down from the craziness of life and emerge renewed, empowered and ready for what is next in this wonderful journey of life Spirit has given us.

This is the most pure form of contemplation we can ever experience. The indwelling and all encompassing silence of God being Its fullest self deep inside of us, right where we are. The merging of our humanity with our spiritual self. This divine unity is the seed from which all miracles can soon blossom.

I love the words of Presbyterian minister and author James Finley who has written, “When engaged in contemplation, we rest in God resting in us.”

Affirmation: God invites us to sit with Spirit in the silence and be changed, inspired and renewed. Why would I ever choose to miss that beautiful gift in my life?”

“But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.” (Romans 8: 9)

My brother sends me articles about nutrition and health via email just about every day. Not that he thinks I eat poorly, but eating well, and taking care of oneself, is something he is very passionate about. Many of these articles speak about the fact that our physical bodies so often are suffering from inflammation. We may not even know it, but gone unchecked this inflammation soon affects us with sickness, decease and discomfort.

So, it made me think. What about our spirits? I think so often our spirits are suffering from an inflammation caused by separateness from God. (Or Spirit, or Higher Power, whatever is comfortable for you in terms of language). Certainly this is not separateness on God’s part, but on ours. We too often become lethargic and lackluster about our relationship with the flow of God’s perfect energy and vibration within and around us and we cut off this beautiful life affirming presence from fully nurturing us. Left unchecked, this inflammation of spirit soon causes our lives to spin out of control. When this happens we often wonder what went wrong and why. So, how do we treat this inflammation?

We need to treat this inflammation by continually affirming the presence of God in our lives. To connect with God even when things are going as we would like in our lives, not just when things go array. When things are going well a simple, “thank you, God,” will remind us that God is working and moving in our lives and our connection is strong. Taking some time for mindful quiet meditation can help us re-connect and remember that there is a power, energy, a Divine vibration moving through us that is longing for expression. This energy and vibration seeks to surround us with comfort, peace, joy and happiness and to project that out into the world not only for us to experience, but to invite others in experience that along with us. It is all too easy to forget who we really are, and what we are really made from, as Spirit’s creation, and in the process we spin out and live those lives of “quiet desperation” that cause us pain and sorrow.

Healthy eating habits keep our bodies well and energetic. Keeping our connection, our prayer life, our worship time, our quiet meditation experience, our service for God focused keeps our spirits strong. A shift in our thinking toward those things we wish to experience, and our acceptance that Spirit is always on our side, can begin to move us in the right direction toward living the abundant life we desire. When our spirit is healthy all of our life’s experience can fall into place in a beautiful and life affirming way.

Affirmation: “Recognizing God’s presence always right where I am my life flows with renewed peace, joy and possibility.”

We have all watched with wonder and fascination fish swimming freely and effortlessly in the water. They have such grace of movement. That which surrounds them, the water, supports and nurtures them, gives them life and provides a sustaining atmosphere in which they are able to thrive. One can imagine that the fish never question this presence of the water, that they never doubt its sustaining power and that they never stop at times and think, “we must seek that which will give us life. We must beseech the water to come to us because it has abandoned us in our most urgent hour of need.” No, that which is all around them is accepted without question. It is just the natural way their life is lived.

The same can be said for the Spirit of God that surrounds and blesses each one of us. We are now, have been, and will forever be surrounded by the very essence of all that is Spirit. We do not need to hope that it will be with us, we need only recognize that it is with us always. It gives us life, blesses us and is the sustaining power that provides for our living abundant and fruitful lives. We do not have to beg God to give us the Spirit, for we have never been without it. It was created “in the beginning,” and it is with us still.

It is our recognition and grateful acceptance of this Spiritual presence that allows us to see God’s blessings, as well as our experience of God’s grace, in a more powerful and meaningful way. As you meditate and concentrate on the flow of your breathing, in and out, over and over, know that you are breathing in this Spirit. It nurtures you, blesses you, heals you, comforts you and opens your consciousness to a greater awareness of Its presence. This Spirit that surrounds you is also within you. It is the makeup of every cell and atom of your being. The renewing and constant rebirth of each of these cells and atoms sustains you and revitalizes you. With each breath, with your every conscious thought and affirmation, know that Spirit God is molding and re-molding you to be an even greater expression of life than you are now. The change that is inevitable in our life becomes a change for the better as we allow Spirit to bless and guide us, and to being the energy and the vibration of all that we are.

The fish is in the water – you are in Spirit.

So, know that you are surrounded by a presence that loves you, welcomes you, sustains you and provides all that you need, as you need it. That which you have been seeking has been seeking your awareness all the time. It’s right where you are. You are living in it now and always.

Affirmation: “I am now, and always, surrounded by the perfect presence of an unconditionally loving God. I live in Spirit and it is my true home.”

“But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.” (Romans 8: 9)

My brother sends me articles about nutrition and health via email just about every day. Eating well, and taking care of oneself, is something he is very passionate about. Many of these articles speak about the fact that our physical bodies so often are suffering from inflammation. We may not even know it, but gone unchecked this inflammation soon affects us with sickness, decease and discomfort.

So, it made me think. What about our spirits? I think so often our spirits are suffering from an inflammation caused by fear and feelings of separateness from God. Certainly not a separateness on God’s part, but on ours. We too often go on auto-pilot and become lethargic and lackluster about our relationship with the flow of God’s perfect energy within and around us. We cut off this beautiful life affirming presence from fully blessing us. Left unchecked, this inflammation of our spirit soon causes our lives to spin out of control. When this happens we often wonder what went wrong and why. So, how do we treat this inflammation?

Life gets busy and there are a million and one things to do. Sometimes we stand in the middle of the room and spin around wondering which thing to do first and which direction to move. I know when I find myself in this state there is only one thing to do. Stop, be still, and take some time, even if it is only five minutes, two minutes, one minute, to do some mindfulness meditation and reboot. Just a few minutes will do the trick, but I also find that if I really allow myself the gift of even more time, my life seems even more blessed.

We can to treat this inflammation of our spirit by affirming the presence of God in our lives. Say some affirmations of Spirit God’s presence and power moving in your life. Say a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for even one small thing in your life. Take some deep breaths and know that you are breathing in rhythm with the pulse and vibration of Perfect Spirit right where you are. In this quiet time, ask Spirit God to reveal whatever is going on in your life that is causing you to feel worry, fear and exile from experiencing your true spiritual nature. When we connect with God circumstances and attitudes can begin to change. Even when things are going well in our lives a simple, “thank you, God,” will remind us that God is working and moving in our lives and our connection is strong.

Preventative medicine keeps our bodies well and healthy. Keeping our connection, our prayer life, our worship time, our service for God going keeps our spirits strong. Your very next thought can be the great game changer for you as you live on the affirmative side of life abundant. When our spirit is healthy all of our life’s experience can fall into place in a beautiful and life affirming way.

Affirmation: “Recognizing God’s presence always right where I am my life flows with renewed peace, joy and possibility.”

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28: 20)

It has been written that, “Wherever you are is the entry point.” What I like about this statement is that it affirms that we can always begin anew to strengthen our faith, start something new, or just feel that we are where we are meant to be.

Every day things are changing and every day we are at a new entry point. What we do with this new entry point, the decisions we make and the attitude we bring into this new NOW moment can be the difference between thriving, or crashing. This new entry point is the place from where our experience can build, and reveal to us the life that we wish to lead, filled with amazing possibility.

Feeling down, or hurtful? Today’s entry point can be a new beginning to feeling the healing power of God moving through our bodies and affairs. Feeling lost, or “tapped out?” Today’s entry point can be a new beginning to feeling the joy of new discovery and strength for what is next.

Our every positive thought is a new entry point in discovering more of how God works in our lives. It is a beginning to seeing our prayers being answered, our relationships being healed and our joy in living finding new blessings for which we can be grateful.

Celebrate your new beginnings today. New beginnings that are divinely blessed because of where you are at this very moment. Give thanks to God that new adventures and discoveries await you now and always.

Your entry point is blessed, and so is your continuing journey with each and every step you take, and each and every thought you have.

Affirmation: “Where I am is my new starting point. God is with me here and blesses my decisions. From this place I find the perfect guidance to move forward toward all that I wish to experience.”

“When the spirit of truth comes it will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.” (John 16:13)

Divine Spirit is without age. It is always consistent, the same. It is always young and vital, alive and energetic. Knowing that this perfect Spirit is always available to us, at any time, always full of just what we need, is indeed very comforting.

Spirit is hard to understand at times because we don’t meet it with our five senses. We don’t touch, smell, taste, see or hear Spirit, but we do experience it. We experience it to the degree that we are willing to connect with it. Spirit is there, it is willing, it is always powerful, but in the midst of the many things that may burden us, bringing us stress or fear, we fail to allow this Spirit to meet our needs, heal our lives and lift us up to new heights of perfection in God. This Spirit, although universal, is also individualized for each and every one of us. Individualized to give us each a wonderfully unique expression of life.

In place of allowing fear to create the roadmap of our lives we can shift our thinking and belief to knowing we are always in the presence of the Divine atmosphere. The Divine Spirit is within you, in the 15 feet around you, and in the larger space around you as well. That space that includes your home, community, city, and our world. This presence is the true home in which you live. We should move in and make it our own with our belief and trust that fear has no place, but Divine unconditional love does.

Connecting with this perfect Spirit is as simple as it is stated in our scripture. Reach out your hand by directing your thinking and let this Divine Truth take hold of you and lead you to experience a new awareness of possibility for your life. We all long for this connection, so why the hesitation in accepting its power and presence right where you are? Why hesitate when our soul (our individualization of Spirit) longs for connection?

Theologian Richard Rohr has written: “Your soul is your participation in the eternal life of God.” I love that statement and it is one I certainly like to meditate upon.

Affirmation: “Reaching out my hand I am divinely and lovingly led to new and wonderful experiences with God.”

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12: 30)

One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving is when I was in church choir as a little boy. I remember one cold evening we sang a song that was new to me, and it is one that I have always loved since. Not only does it remind me of Thanksgiving, but it always reminds me fondly of that night we learned it. I remember our choir director, a young woman, Evangeline Everett, isn’t that a great name? I will never forget her, as she taught us this song:

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing; Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, And pray that Thou still our Defender will be; Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

These lyrics can touch us so deeply as we meditate upon them.

We do gather together. We hasten and chasen for there is no time to waste.

We proclaim for God/Spirit to be made known through our understanding of God moving in our lives, always available and always right where we need Spirit to be. The wicked oppressor – that is our doubts and our fears. That is our hesitation to experience fully God’s power and presence and to believe we are loved unconditionally. And yes, we do praise God’s name from on high as we count the many ways we are grateful.

There is a perfect rhythm of life. The sunset, the sunrise, the tides. The growing of things before the harvest has a certain rhythm of life. The spirit of God has a rhythm as well and we are a part of that perfect rhythm. That rhythm is harmony and peace and it is unconditional love.

Affirmation: “Knowing I am a beautiful part of God’s rhythm of life, peace and harmony just naturally manifest wherever I look.